LDR Brachytherapy with Vicryl Mesh Implant

What is LDR Brachytherapy?

Low Dose Rate (LDR) brachytherapy (BRAYkey-THAIR-uh-pee) is a type of radiation that is used to treat cancer. Brachytherapy delivers a concentrated dose of radiation to a tumor site while sparing much of the surrounding healthy tissue.

Brachytherapy may be used alone or with external beam radiation and/or surgery. It may cure, control, or relieve symptoms of many different types of cancer. In brachytherapy, radiation is delivered for a set length of time by a radioactive source that comes in the form of a small seed. The dose of radiation and length of time prescribed will depend on the tumor’s size and location.

There are several ways to give brachytherapy. Your doctors have decided that a vicryl mesh implant is needed to treat your tumor. It is a flexible piece of mesh that has tiny radioactive seeds attached to it. The radioactive seeds destroy microscopic cancer cells that may be left behind after a tumor is removed. Your surgeon and radiation oncologist will work together to decide on placement of the mesh implant.

The Implant

The seeds attached to the mesh implant are actually small metal pellets. They are similar in size and shape to a grain of rice. The mesh surrounding the seeds eventually will dissolve in your body. The seeds, however, stay forever.

The seeds lose their radioactivity slowly:

Iodine-125 about 1 year

Cesium-131 about 6 months

After this time, the seeds are no longer considered radioactive. Cancer cells are most sensitive to radiation at the time they are dividing. It’s important to have radiation present over a long period of time to attack the cancer while the cells are dividing.

Preparation and Surgery

Your doctor may order routine lab work and x-rays. You will have these done before the day of your surgery.

Before the implant is placed, you will be asked to sign a consent form to have brachytherapy. You will also sign a consent form for the surgery.

Your radiation oncologist will be present during your surgery and will determine the number of seeds that need to be placed in the mesh to effectively treat the area.

During your hospital stay, you will be brought to the Radiation Oncology Department to have some x-rays of your implant site. These x-rays are a required part of your medical record.

At Home

Activity

You may be very tired for a few weeks after brachytherapy and/or surgery. You should plan rest periods throughout your day. Your surgeon will talk with you about activities you can and cannot do.

Diet

You may go back to your normal diet after you leave the hospital, unless your surgeon tells you otherwise.

Safety precautions

Children should not sit on your lap for more than 5 minutes each day for:

6 months following an iodine-125 implant

3 months following a cesium-131 implant

When possible, remain at least 3 feet away from a pregnant woman for:

3 months following an iodine-125 implant

3 months following a cesium-131 implant

Touching, kissing, and shaking hands with a pregnant woman briefly are permissible.

Family members and friends may use the same tableware, dishes, linen, clothing, and toilet facilities as you without a risk of radioactivity.

Touching, kissing, or shaking hands with others will not make them radioactive.

Follow-up

Your follow-up appointments are very important. You will be scheduled to see the radiation oncologist approximately one month after your surgery. You might want to schedule this follow-up on the same day as other doctor appointments, if it is convenient for you.

For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. UPMC policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected group status. Further, UPMC will continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in UPMC programs and activities. This commitment is made by UPMC in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.

Medical information made available on UPMC.com is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have. Further, UPMC.com is not a tool to be used in the case of an emergency. If an emergency arises, you should seek appropriate emergency medical services.

For UPMC Mercy Patients: As a Catholic hospital, UPMC Mercy abides by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, as determined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As such, UPMC Mercy neither endorses nor provides medical practices and/or procedures that contradict the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.